North Korea announced on Monday that it had launched a new solid-fuel intermediate-range missile equipped with a hypersonic warhead. The missile test, aimed at assessing the reliability of the missile's engines and the maneuverability of the warhead, marks North Korea's first ballistic test of 2024.

The North Korean military stated that the missile was specifically designed to target US military bases in Guam, Japan, and other remote US targets in the region. While the details of the test were not provided, North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) described it as a success.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launch, reporting that the missile traveled approximately 620 miles before landing in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. The authorities are currently analyzing the test, but no further information has been disclosed.

This missile launch follows North Korea's announcement two months ago that it had successfully tested engines for a new solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile. The development of hypersonic weapons poses a challenge to regional missile defense systems due to their high speed and maneuverability, making them harder to detect compared to traditional missiles.

Experts speculate that more flight tests are likely to follow, potentially raising concerns among neighboring countries. Some believe that North Korea may increase pressure in light of the upcoming elections in Seoul and Washington.

In response to the launch, South Korea's Defense Ministry has urged North Korea to halt its ballistic testing activities, which are in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

North Korea has a history of conducting provocative missile tests, including flying its existing intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), such as the Hwasong-12, over Japan. In November, the country successfully launched its first military reconnaissance satellite and has plans to launch three more satellites in 2024.

The international community will be closely monitoring North Korea's actions and assessing the potential implications of its advancing missile capabilities.